On November 24, 2024, Ron Prosor, the Israeli Ambassador to Germany, urged for increased efforts to combat antisemitism in the country. He expressed that Jews do not feel safe nationwide, a sentiment echoed by Berlin's police commissioner, Barbara Slowik, who recently warned Jewish individuals to avoid certain neighborhoods in the city.
Ambassador Prosor highlighted that Jewish citizens are apprehensive about traveling alone on public transport or speaking Hebrew in public. He noted that Jewish students reported feeling compelled to go to restrooms in pairs for safety. He emphasized that such a situation should not be considered normal and called for collective responsibility across Germany.
In the interview, Prosor acknowledged the German government's solidarity through numerous ministerial visits, expressing gratitude for this support. However, he stressed the need for stronger backing from Germany in international forums, such as the United Nations, particularly in matters concerning resolutions that do not explicitly condemn Hamas's terrorism or recognize Israel's right to self-defense.
He criticized any neutral stance as inappropriate and deemed unsolicited advice to Israel unnecessary. Prosor reiterated that Germany is Israel's most significant strategic partner after the United States and expects the German government to advocate for Israel's right to self-defense rather than dictating limitations.
Regarding the upcoming U.S. administration under Donald Trump, Prosor expressed optimism that the situation in the Middle East would stabilize. He anticipates an expansion of the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states. He described this agreement as a successful model that fosters direct interactions among citizens.
Prosor concluded by noting that citizens from the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco visiting Israel have a transformed perspective, realizing that misconceptions about Jews are unfounded. He advocated for extending these agreements to include Saudi Arabia.